Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Kidnapped
Robert Louis Stevenson
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes. Its HootRating code, MP, means moderate content, mostly physical.
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About This Book
David Balfour is no ordinary boy—he’s thrown into a world of shipwrecks, daring escapes, and mysterious plots that will test his courage like never before. Every twist and turn pulls him deeper into an adventure where danger lurks at every wave. What will he do when his very life is at stake?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson is a classic adventure novel suitable for children ages 9-12. It follows David Balfour as he navigates perilous challenges including shipwreck, murder, and escape, offering a thrilling introduction to classic literature with themes of bravery and resilience. Parents should note the story involves moderate suspense and peril but is appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Kidnapped MP (Moderate)
Kidnapped is written at a Level 6 reading level across 292 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 7 and up can manage Kidnapped on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
We rate Kidnapped as MP (Moderate, mostly physical) because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Kidnapped explores adventure, classics, coming of age, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, classics, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
MP · Moderate · PhysicalReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781417609680
- Pages
- 292
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- May 2000
- Type
- Fiction